A range of roller split bearings have been enhanced to deliver additional cost-, time- and safety-related benefits that aim to optimise machine availability and uptime, reduce operational costs, and increase plant production.

SKF announced the upgrade of the Cooper roller split bearings, with the new Cooper E-Series. The new range is dimensionally interchangeable as it incorporates an extended range of series 01 and 02 bearings in bore sizes up to 150 mm. This enables customers and end-users to replace existing 01 and 02 bearings with new bearings in the same dimensions.

The product range is available in sizes up to 300 mm, making the E-Series suitable for a range of applications on industrial and marine equipment including belt and screw conveyors, industrial fans, industrial drive shafts, water turbines and propeller shafts.

The upgrade also includes a patented brass cage design with an optimised roller complement that is designed to deliver benefits such as increased carrying capacity, greater safety margins, longer L10 rating life and subsequent improved service life.

One of the main benefits of using a split bearing is that the drive coupling or the cantilevered drive and gearbox do not need to be dismounted during bearing replacement. As very few changes are required to the shaft alignment or driveline, realignment can be avoided. The bearings can be replaced while in position, making them especially suited for tight, difficult-to-access locations. This helps to minimise downtime during machinery maintenance and service as well as improve worker safety, as heavy equipment does not need to be lifted to replace conveyor pulley bearings.